Method and apparatus for making a confection novelty



y 1968 R. F. ANDERSON 3,385,234

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING A CONFECTION NOVELTY Filed June 1, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet l a m B q- 7 M w, VIZ/at) y 1968 R- F. ANDERSON 3,385,234

NG A CONFECTION NOVELTY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKI 5 Sheets-Sheet S Filed Jur xe 1 y 1968 R. F. ANDERSON 3,385,234

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING A CONFECTION NOVELTY Filed June 1, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 \Ll llllll lll llll United States Patent C) 3,385,234 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING A CGNFECTEGN NGVELTY Ralph F. Anderson, 332 Calvin Park Blvd, Rockford, ill. 61108 Filed June 1, 1965, Ser. No. 460,012 12 Claims. (Q1. 107-1) ABSTRACT 9F THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for making a confection novelty.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for dispensing a first charge of confection from a nozzle onto an advancing receiver and for thereafter dispensing one or more additional charges of confection onto the first charge while moving the receiver tomake a confection novelty.

Another object is to provide a method and apparatus in accordance with the foregoing object in which the nozzles and receiver are moving in the same direction at the time of dispensing.

Still another object is to provide a method and apparatus in accordance with the foregoing objects and involving a method and apparatus for impressing a decorative design onto charges of confection moving along an advancing receiver to make a confection novelty.

Yet another object is to provide a method and apparatus in accordance with the foregoing object in which the decorative design is impressed substantially simultaneously with the dispensing of a charge of confection.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for making a confection novelty wherein a first web of confection is continuously extruded from a nozzle and the web is lowered in juxtaposition to an advancing receiver prior to severance of a charge from the web and, similarly, a second web is extruded and lowered in juxtaposition to the first charge moving along the advancing receiver prior to severance of a second charge thereby providing a minimum of free fall of the charges and minimizing distortion of the shape of the novelty.

A still further object is to provide an improved method and apparatus for making a confection novelty comprising a plurality of layers of confection severed from continuously extruded webs of confection and which compensates for the extrusion of the web during severance to form end faces generally perpendicular to the axis of the web thereby allowing the various layers to neatly engage and form an attractive novelty.

It is another object to provide an improved method and apparatus in accordance with the foregoing objects wherein the receiver, the nozzles, and the design impressing apparatus are coordinated so that additional layers of confection and the decorative design are placed substantially at preselected areas on the confection charge previously dispensed.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for making a plurality of confection novelties at relatively high speeds.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGS. la and 1b are, respectively, perspective views of the left and right sections of an apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. la with the various parts being shown on a larger scale for greater clarity;

PEG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating a nozzle in a different move position just prior to severance of a charge from the web;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a nozzle taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a cutting element for severing charges of material from the web, and

HG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along line 66 of FIG. 1b.

The method of the present invention relates to dispensing discrete charges of confection onto a moving receiver and adding one or more charges on top of the moving charges to build up a confection novelty. The method also includes impressing a decorative design onto the moving built-up charges. One apparatus for accomplishing the aforesaid method is illustrated in the drawings and incl des a plurality of nozzles for dispensing discrete charges of confection onto an advancing receiver that is moving in a generally horizontal plane. The first nozzle, for example, is maintained facing generally downwardly and confection is fed thereto to extrude a continuous web therefrom. Preferably, the first nozzle is moved in a generally upright orbital path above the receiver and a cutting element is arranged to sever a charge of confection from the web as the first nozzle moves through the lower portion of the orbital path. The first nozzle preferably moves in the same direction as the receiver when the charge of confection is severed and dispensed onto the receiver. Additional nozzles may be similarly arranged to dispense one or more additional charges on top of the moving charges to make confection novelties. A design impressing apparatus is preferably moved in an orbital path above the moving confection with the apparatus moving in the same direction as the receiver at the time of engaging the confection at the lower portion of the orbit. The design impressing apparatus is advantageously mounted on the last of said additional nozzles.

While the method and apparatus of this invention may hereinafter be sometimes described as applying to an ice cream confection, it should be understood that it can also be used with other comestibles capable of being dispensed through a nozzle.

Reference is now made more specifically to the accompanying drawings wherein the same numerals indicate the same parts throughout the several views. In general, the apparatus includes a plurality of nozzles 10-12 each having a downwardly facing discharge opening and which are connected, as by a plurality of conduits 14-18, to means for continuously feeding confection .to the nozzles, such as continuous type freezers designated 2024. The nozzles 1642 may be of any conventional type and may have any desired cross-sectional configuration to impart a preselected cross-sectional shape to the web of material extruded therefrom. As illustrated, first nozzle 10 is conveniently of a generally square cross-sectional configuration and constructed for dispensing a multiple of materials therefrom and may be, for example, of the type disclosed in the patent of F. W. Villemure, No. 3,174,652. Nozzle 11, for example, is herein shown in the form of an elongated tube having a generally star-like configuration for dispensing ornamental charges of confection, Whereas, nozzle 12 has a generally circular crosssectional shape. It should be obvious that the cross-sectional of each nozzle may be of any shape desired to effectuate the purpose of making .a confection novelty and may be arranged to dispense one or several confections therefrom. Although the nozzles -12 are herein shown in the form of an elongated tubes, it is to be understood that they may be relatively shorter, if desired.

The nozzles 1042 are preferably maintained in a downwardly facing position and moved in an orbital path about a generally horizontal axis. As best illustrated in FIG. 1a, each nozzle is supported on a bracket 28 in any convenient manner, for example, nozzles 11 and 12 may be secured to bracket 28 by means of clamps 29. Similarly, nozzle 10 is secured to its respective bracket 28 by fasteners (not shown) extending through the bracket and into the casing of the nozzle. Each bracket is moved in a generally upright plane through an orbital path by means of cranks 31 and 32 which are rotatably connected to the bracket 28 by vertically spaced pivot axes 33 and 34, respectively. The cranks, in turn, are mounted for rotation about vertically spaced axes 35 and 36 and each set of cranks is rotated so as to move the corresponding bracket and nozzle in an orbital path while maintaining the nozzle in a generally upright position. The rotations of all the nozzles are advantageously coordinated in a suitable drive arrangement for this purpose, as described more fully below.

The first nozzle 10 is arranged to dispense discrete charges of confection, such as ice cream, onto an advancing receiver and the other nozzles are arranged to dispense discrete charges of confection onto the previously dispensed charges while advancing along the receiver. The receiver may take various different forms, as desired, and is herein illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 2 as individual fiat sheets of material such as wrapping paper 38, conveniently cut from a continuous roll 39. The individual charge receivers 38 may be severed from the roll in any convenient manner. For example, the roll 39 is supported on a spindle 41 mounted on a guide plate 42. The sheet of paper conveniently passes around rollers 43 and 44 and between perforating rolls 45 and 46. Roll 45 has a plurality of perforating disks 47 which may be either in the form of perforating elements or scoring elements adapted to perforate or score the sheet material along spaced lines as it passes between the rolls. The lower perforating roll 46 is in the nature of an idler roll and I comprises a shaft provided with grooves (not shown) spaced to correspond with the perforating disks 47 on the roll 45. The sheet then passes over a guide plate 48 and through a cutter 49. The lower side of the cutter 49 is cut away through substantially half of its circumference for the passage of the sheet of material and operates to cut the sheet by a shearing action between the cutter 49 and the guide plate 48. Conveniently attached to the cutter 49 is a T-shaped spring member 50 which projects rearwardly over the plate 45 and acts to strip the sheet free of the upper perforating roll. A more complete disclosure of the aforementioned parts, their drive mechanism, and manner of operation is given in the patent to S. F. Anderson and R. F. Anderson, No. 2,915,865 and further description herein is deemed unnecessary. After the individual charge receivers 38 are severed from the continuous sheet, they are advanced along a generally horizontal path by a conveyor, generally designated by the numeral 54. The conveyor may be a straight line conveyor as illustrated, or a circular type conveyor, and may be of various different constructions, depending to a great extent on the type of receiver being used and the confection novelty being made. As illustrated, the conveyor 54 includes sprockets 55 and 56 mounted on housing 9 as by shafts 57 and 58, respectively; an endless chain Cit 59 attached to the sprockets, and a plurality of arms, generally designated by the numeral 60, mounted on the chain and arranged for advancing the receivers 38 along a support platform 61. The conveyor 54 may be driven in any convenient manner, and is herein illustrated in FIG. 2 as having sprocket 55 connected to a motor or drive apparatus 66 by means or" a pulley 64, belt 67, and variable pulley 65.

A cutting element is interposed in the path of movement of the Web from each of nozzles 10 and 11, as best shown in FIGS. la and 2. The cutting element operates to sever a charge of confection from the web 'as the nozzle moves through the lower portion of its orbital path. The cutting element is preferably in the form of a wirelike element, generally designated by the numeral 72 and best shown in FIG. 5. Preferably, the cutting element 72 is supported again substantial horizontal movement, while permitted to move a limited distance vertically to compensate for the arcuate movement of the nozzles during severance. In this manner, the cutting element can be guided across the end of the nozzle in such a manner as to form end faces substantially perpendicular to the web of confection. As shown in FIG. 5, the cutting element 72 is supported on a yoke type support member 74, which support member is swingably mounted on a pin 75. The pin is mounted on journals 76 and 76 carried by a support bracket 77. In the embodiment illustrated, support bracket 77 is formed of two L-shaped members. One leg is supported on the housing 9 and is secured thereto by fasteners 78. The lowermost leg is positioned above the conveyor 54 and carries the journals 76 and 76' and a stud 81. A stop and spring mechanism is provided for limiting vertical swinging movement of the support 74 and for yieldably urging the cutting elements 72 to a preselected raised position. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the stop and spring mechanism includes a stud 81 attached to the bracket 77. The cutter support 74 has an opening which loosely receives the stud 81 and a spring 85 is interposed between the support 74 and adjustable nut 86 to yieldably urge the cutter to a raised position, in which the cutting element 72 is disposed at a level substantially above the lowermost point in the path of travel of the discharge end of the nozzle. In this manner, the cutting element can be yieldably moved downward against the bias of the spring 85. Cutter guides 88 and 89 are provided on nozzles 10 and 11, respectively, for movement therewith and for engaging the respective cutting element to move the same vertically with the nozzle while the element is moving crosswise of the web of confection. In this manner, the shape of the cut is determined by the guides 88 and 89. Since the web of confection is continuously extruded through 'the nozzle, and will continue to advance during move ment of the cutting element 72 crosswise of the respective nozzle, the cutter guides 88 and 89 are preferably shaped to compensate for the movement of the web during severance of the charge therefrom. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the cutter guides are advantageously disposed at an angle to a plane normal to the axis of the respective nozzle and this angle is correlated with the rate of movement of the material through the nozzle and the rate of movement of the nozzle crosswise of the cutter so that the cut will extend substantially normal to the axis of material as it is severed from the web. In other words, the angle designated a in FIG. 2 is preferably substantially equal to the angle whose tangent is the rate of feed of material through nozzle 10 divided by the rate of movement of the nozzle crosswise of the cutting element 72. Similarly, the angle designated 12 in FIG. 2 is preferably equal to the angle whose tangent is the rate of feed of material through the nozzle 11 divided by the rate of movement of the nozzle crosswise of cutter 72. It will be observed that angles a and b are illustrated as being of different magnitude. This will occur when it is desired to dispense different thicknesses of confection from the different nozzles as is illustrated; however, the various nozzles can dispense equal thicknesses, if desired, and in that circumstance angle a will preferably equal angle b. As can be readily seen, the length of the cranks 31 and 32 must be made sufficiently long, with relation to the width of the nozzle, so as to produce a horizontal movement substantially greater than the width of the respective nozzle measured in the direction of movement thereof, so as to move the nozzle completely across the cutting element 72 during the lower portion of the orbital path of the nozzle.

The method and apparatus of the present invention may be employed with various different types of filling machines with the controlling feature being that the filling machine have a drive mechanism for operating the conveyor and filler in timed relation or, in other words, that the nozzles -12 be operated in timed relation with the advancing receivers 38 so that each nozzle conveniently makes one orbit for each receiver. To effectuate this purpose in the embodiment illustrated, the crankshafts 35 and 36 are rotatably supported in the housing 9 about vertically offset axes and means such as gears 94% are provided for eifectuating rotation of shafts 35 and 36 in timed relation with each other, as best shown in FIG. 4. One of the shafts 35 is drivingly connected through gears 97 and 97 to a drive shaft 98. This arrangement is typical for each of the nozzles 104.2 which are all driven by drive shaft 98 in time relation with each other. Drive shaft 98 is operatively connected to shaft 57 by means of gears 1604M and chain 104 (FIG. 4) so 'as to rotate in timed relation with the movement of the conveyor 54. The various gears described above, are selected for driving the nozzles at the desired speed relative to the conveyor 54, which speed is one revolution of each nozzle during travel of the conveyor equal to the spacing of the arms 60 which advance the receivers 38. The nozzles are arranged to move in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 1a and 2, so that at the lower portion of the orbit each nozzle is moving in the same direction as the conveyor. In this manner, the web of confection is moved toward the conveyor just prior to severance of the charge from the web and thus the charge is moving in the same direction as the receiver 38 and is timed to be accurately dispensed thereon at the same time of severance. Moreover, the receiver and the nozzle are preferably vertically spaced relative to each other so that the charge is dropped a minimum distance at the time it is severed from the web to minimize free fall of the charge. FIG. 3 illustrates a typical nozzle and cutter element, and their relationship just prior to the start of severance of a charge from the web; FIG. 2 illustrates these parts just after a charge has been severed from the web. As can be seen, the cutter 72 does not interrupt or otherwise interfere with the continuous flow of material from the nozzle and, during the cutting operation, the confection continues to flow from the nozzle. As stated above, the angle of each cutter guide is related to the rate of flow and the rate of movement of the nozzle crosswise of the cutter so as to form end faces on the charge of confection such as ice cream, which extend substantially perpendicular to the axis of the charge. Where a variable speed drive is utilized, as for example variable pulley 65, the speed of the apparatus can be varied to vary the thickness of all charges of confection. Since the various nozzles 1012 are advantageously geared to orbit in timed relation to each other, as explained above, the only way to vary the thickness of one charge relative to another is to vary the flow of material to the nozzle and thus the extrusion of the web therefrom. Thus, for a given speed of the apparatus, angles a and b will be varied directly With the rate of flow of material to the nozzle, which flow determines the thickness of the charge severed therefrom, as is illustrated by example in FIG. 2.

The third nozzle 12, as stated above, is operated so that it conveniently makes one orbit for each receiver advanced by the conveyor. It will be noted, however, that the third nozzle has no cutter element associated therewith. Rather, the third nozzle is arranged so that the Web of confection is engaged with the charges of confection on the receiver. The third web advantageously adheres to the pridr changes and, as the nozzle moves upward in its orbit, a decorative charge is severed or torn therefrom. In this manner, a discrete charge is dispensed from the third nozzle and said charge may, for example, take the general shape of a cone with a twirl it its apex (see FIG. 2).

Means is advantageously provided for impressing a decorative design on the confection as it moves along the conveyor 54. It is contemplated that the design may be an impression of a plant, animal, geometric shape, and the like; but it is herein illustrated as a generally circular shape impressed by a generally circular advantageously mounted on nozzle 12 by means of legs 112, as best shown in FIG. 2. As illustrated, the die 111 impresses its decorative design on the first charge of confection; however, it is contemplated that the design may be impressed on other charges of the confection novelty or on more than one charge, as desired.

After the confection novelty has been formed, the apparatus advantageously packages the novelty by folding the receiver 38 around the confection novelty. This is performed by the apparatus illustrated in FIG. lb, and includes elongate guides 114 and 116 for folding the receiver, a blade 118 for turning the confection novelty on its side, and a trowel 120 for smoothing and squaring the package. The elongate guides are conveniently supported by a plurality of brackets mounted on the housing 9 or platform 61. Similarly, blade 118 and trowel are supported by brackets 119 and 121, respectively, mounted on the housing. In the embodiment illustrated, each arm 60 is slotted to pass under blade 118 which gradually increases in height to cause the moving novelty to turn on its side. The turning motion causes one flap, designated 38a, to be folded by guide 116 and guide 114 is advantageously curved across the platform 61 to cause the other flap 38b to be folded. The package is then pushed by arm 60 under the trowel 120 which smooths and squares the package, readying it for placement in a larger container for storage or shipment.

It is now deemed obvious that the confection novelty can be made by the method and apparatus of the present invention by dispensing a plurality of discrete charges of confection onto an advancing receiver by extruding a continuously downward flowing web of confection from a plurality of nozzles, moving each nozzle in an orbit above the receiver and arranging a cutter so that the charge of confection is severed from the web during the time the nozzle is moving in the same direction as the receiver and at the time that the nozzle is nearest to the receiver. It should be understood that additional nozzles, the second nozzle 11 for example, must be orbited above the elevation of the charges previously dispensed onto the moving receiver. The manner in which each nozzle is orbited causes the web to move toward the receiver just prior to severance and thereby minimizes free fall of the charge to substantially eliminate any distortion of the charge as it dropped onto the receiver or previously dispensed charge. This also aids in accurate positioning of the charge being dispensed. Each cutting element 72 and cutter guide 88 or 89 are arranged so that the cutting element is guided across the nozzle in such a manner as to compensate for the movement of the web and produce a substantially perpendicular cut thereby giving substantially smooth end faces to the confection novelty. The web of confection continues to flow from the nozzle after the charge is separated therefrom and the nozzle is raised upwardly and moved in a direction opposite the direction of the advance of the conveyor, back to a position to cut a succeeding charge of material from the web.

In this manner, the cutting element does not interfere with the movement of the web back to its initial position. The third nozzle 12, for example, and the design impressing apparatus are similarly orbited. However, the third nozzle is arranged so that the third web of confection engages the prior charge of confection and the design impressing apparatus also engages a prior charge. The advancing receiver, all nozzles, and the design impressing apparatus must be coordinated to allow the operations to be performed in timed relation so that the first charge is dispensed on the advancing receiver, additional charges dispensed at preselected areas thereon, and the design impressed on preselected areas.

While I have thus described a preferred embodiment of an apparatus to perform the method of the present invention, this has been done by way of illustration and not limitation, and I do not wish to be limited except as required by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The method of making a confection novelty comprising, advancing a receiver along a path sequentially past sever-a1 stations, continuously, extruding a downwardly flowing web of confection through a first nozzle at the first station, moving the first nozzle through a generally upright closed loop above the receiver with the first nozzle moving in the direction of the receiver when the first nozzle is in the lower position of its loop and opposite the direction of the receiver when the first nozzle is in the upper portion of its loop, positioning a cutter to intersect the path of movement of the web when the first nozzle is moving in the direction of movement of the receiver to sever a first charge of confection from the web, feeding confection to another nozzle at another station, moving the other nozzle through a generally closed loop above the first charge of confection on the receiver with said other nozzle moving in the direct-ion of the receiver when in the lower portion of its loop and opposite the direction of the receiver when the other nozzle is in the upper portion of its loop, dispensing a decorative charge of confection from said other nozzle onto the first charge of confection, impressing a design on the first charge of confection concomitantly with the dispensing of said decorative charge, and coordinating the movement of the receiver, said first nozzle, and said other nozzle to substantially deposit the decorative charge and impress the design on the top of the first charge of confection at preselected positions.

2. The method of making a confection novelty comprising, advancing a receiver along a generally horizontal path, dispensing a first charge of confection on the receiver from a first nozzle comprising, feeding confection to the first nozzle to continuously feed a first web of confection therefrom, and effectuating relative movement between the first nozzle and a first cutting element in a direction generally crosswise of the first web of confection at an angle inclined with respect to the axis of the first web substantially suificient to compensate for the advance of the first web during movement of the first cutting element crosswise of the first web to thereby form end faces extending generally perpendicular to the sides of the first charge of confection deposited on the receiver; dispensing a second charge of confection substantially at a preselected position on said first charge from a second nozzle comprising, feeding confection to the second nozzle to continuously feed a second web of con fection therefrom, and effectuating relative movement between the second nozzle and a second cutting element in a direction generally crosswise of the second web of confection at an angle inclined with respect to the axis of the web substantially sufficient to compensate for the advance of the second web during movement of the second cutting element crosswise of the second web to thereby form end faces generally perpendicular to the sides of the second charge of confection deposited on top of said first charge; feeding confection to a third nozzle and dispensing a third charge of confection therefrom substantially at a preselected position on at least one of said first and second charges.

3. The method of making a confection novelty comprising, advancing a receiver in one direction along a path, feeding confection to a first nozzle to continuously extrude a first web of confection therethrough, supporting a first cutting element at a level above the receiver, maintaining the first nozzle facing downwardly at all times to feed the first web downwardly, moving the first web from an initial position and in said one direction crosswise of the first cutting element to sever a first charge from the first web and deposit the same on the receiver, raising the first nozzle substantially above the first cutting element so that the first web clears said first cutting element and thereafter moving the first nozzle in a direction opposite said one direction to its initial position, feeding confection to a second nozzle to continuously extrude a second web of confection therethrough, supporting a second cutting element at a level above the first charge, maintaining the second nozzle facing downwardly at all times to feed the second web downwardly, moving the second web from an initial position and in said one direction crosswise of the second cutting element to sever a second charge of confection from the second web and deposit the same on the first discrete charge, raising the second nozzle substantially above the second cutting element so that the second web clears said second cutting element and thereafter moving the second nozzle in a direction opposite said one direction to its initial position, feeding confection to a third nozzle, dispensing a third charge of confection from the third nozzle on said first and second charges, impressing a generally decorative design on the confection novelty comprising said first, second, and third charges while the confection novelty is moving along the receiver, and coordinating the movement of the receiver, the first, second, and third nozzles, to substantially deposit said second and third charges on top of the first and second charges respectively substantially at preselected positions thereon.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein a step of impressing a decorative design on the confection novelty is performed concomitantly with the step of dispensing a third charge of confection from the third nozzle.

5. In combination, means for advancing a charge receiver in one direction along a path, a first nozzle having a discharge opening at the lower end thereof, means for feeding a confection to said first nozzle to generally continuously feed a first web of confection from the dis charge opening, means for moving the first nozzle in an orbital path while maintaining the first nozzle in a generally upright position, said last-mentioned means moving the first nozzle so that the lowest point of the orbit is at a level above the receiver and moving the first nozzle in said one direction at said lowest point and in the opposite direction during that portion of the orbital path that the first nozzle is spaced farthest from the receiver, a first cutter disposed crosswise of the orbital path and so constructed and arranged that a first discrete charge of material is severed from the first web and deposited on the receiver when the first nozzle is moving in said one direction, a second nozzle spaced from said first nozzle in said one direction, said second nozzle having a discharge opening at the lower end thereof, means for feeding a confection to said second nozzle to generally continuously feed a second web of confection from the discharge opening, means for moving the second nozzle in an orbital path while maintaining the second nozzle in a generally upright position, said last-mentioned means moving the second nozzle so that the lowest point of the orbit is at a level above the first discrete charge and moving the second nozzle in said one direction at the lowest point and in the opposite direction during that portion of the orbital path that the second nozzle is spaced farthest from the receiver, a second cutter disposed crosswise of the orbital path and so constructed and arranged that a second discrete charge of material is severed from the second web and deposited on the first discrete charge when the second nozzle is moving in said one direction, a third nozzle having a discharge opening at one end, means for dispensing a third discrete charge of confection from said third nozzle onto said first and second discrete char es, and means for coordinating the movement of the receiver and nozzles to substantially deposit the discrete charges at preselected positions.

6. The combination of claim including means for moving the third nozzle in an orbital path with said third nozzle moving in the same direction as said advancing receiver at the lower portion of its orbit.

7. In combination, means for advancing a charge receiver in one direction along a generally horizontal path, a first generally upright nozzle having a discharge opening at the lower end thereof, means for feeding a con- "ection to said first nozzle to generally continuously feed a first web of confection from the discharge opening, means for moving the first nozzle in an orbital path while maintaining the first nozzle in a generally upright position, said last-mentioned means moving the first nozzle so that the lowest point of the orbit is at a level above the receiver and moving the first nozzle in said one direction at said lowest point and in the opposite direction during that portion of the orbital path that the first nozzle is spaced farthest from the receive, a first cutter disposed crosswise of the orbital path and so constructed and arranged that a first discrete charge of confection is severed from the first web and deposited on the receiver when the first nozzle is moving in said one direction, a second generally upright nozzle spaced from said first nozzle in said one direction, said second nozzle having a discharge opening at the lower end thereof, means for feeding a confection to said second nozzle to generally continuously feed a second web of confection from the discharge opening, means for moving the second nozzle in an orbital path while maintaining the second nozzle in a generally upright position, said last-mentioned means moving the second nozzle so that the lowest point of the orbit is at a level above the first discrete charge and moving the second nozzle in said one direction at said lowest point and in the opposite direction during that portion of the orbital path that the second nozzle is spaced farthest from the receiver, a second cutter disposed crosswise of the orbital path and so constructed and arranged that a second discrete charge of confection is severed from the second web and deposited on the first discrete charge when the second nozzle is moving in said one direction, a third nozzle spaced from said second nozzle in said one direction and having a discharge opening at one end, means for feeding a confection to said third nozzle for dispensing a third discrete charge of confection from said third nozzle on said first and second discrete charges, means for impressing a generally decorative design on a confectionary comprising said first, second and third discrete charges while the confectionary is moving along said receiver, and means for coordinating the movement of the receiver, the first nozzle, second nozzle, the third nozzle, and said impressing means for substantially depositing said second and third discrete charges on top of the first and second discrete char es respectively at substantially preselected positions thereon and for impressing the decorative design on the confectionary at a substantially preselected position.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the impressing means is attached to said third nozzle whereby the decorative design is impressed concomitantly with the discharge of said third discrete charge of confection.

9, In combination, means for advancing a charge receiver in one direction along a generally horizontal path, a first generally upright nozzle having a discharge opening at the lower end thereof, means for feeding a confection to said first nozzle to generally continuously feed a first web of confection from the discharge opening, means for moving the first nozzle in a generally upright orbital path while maintaining the axis of the first nozzle in a generally upright position, said last-mentioned means moving the first nozzle so that the lowest point of said orbit is at a level above the receiver and moving the first nozzle in said one direction at said lowest point and in the opposite direction during that portion of the orbital path that the first nozzle is spaced farthest from the receiver, the first cutter including a generally horizontal wire-like element disposed crosswise of the orbital path and so constructed and arranged that a first charge of material is severed from the first web and deposited on the receiver when the first nozzle is moving in said one direction, a support member for supporting said element, means for mounting said sup-port member for limited vertical movement of said element, a first cutter guide means movable with said first nozzle and engageable with said element for moving the element vertically with the first nozzle as the first nozzle moves across the element, means yieldably urging the support member in a direction to press the element against the first cutter guide means, a second generally upright nozzle having a discharge opening at the lower end thereof, means for feeding confection to said second nozzle to generally continuously feed a second web of confection from the discharge opening, means for moving the second nozzle in a generally upright orbital path while maintaining the axis of the second nozzle in a generally upright position, said last-mentioned means moving the second nozzle so that the lowest point of said orbit is at a. level above the first discrete charge and moving the second nozzle in said one direction at said lowest point and in the opposite direction during that portion of the orbital path that the second nozzle is spaced farthest from the receiver, a second cutter including a generally horizontal wire-like element disposed crosswise of the orbital path and so constructed and arranged that a second discrete charge of material is severed from the second web and deposited on the first discrete charge when the second nozzle is moving in said one direction, a support member for supporting said element, means for mounting said support member for limited vertical movement of said element, a second guide means movable with said second nozzle and engageable with said element for moving the element vertically with the second nozzle as the second nozzle moves across the element, and means yieldably urging the support member in a direction to press the element against the second cutter guide means, and means for coordinating the movement of said receiver, the first nozzle and the second nozzle for depositing the second discrete charge on top of the first discrete charge at a preselected position thereon.

10. A method of making a confection novelty corn-prising, forming a receiver having a size sufficient to encompass the confection novelty, continuously advancing the receiver in one direction along a path sequentially past a first and a second station, continuously extruding a downwardly flowing Web of confection through a first nozzle at the first station, moving the first nozzle through a gene-rally upright closed loop above the receiver with the first nozzle moving in said one direction when the first nozzle is in the lower portion of its loop and opposite said one direction when the first nozzle is in the upper portion of its loop, positioning a cutter to intersect the path of movement of the web when the first nozzle is moving in said one direction to sever a first charge of confection from the web, continuously extruding a second downwardly flowing web of confection through a second nozzle at the second station, moving the second nozzle through a generally upright closed loop above said first charge of confection with the second nozzle moving in said one direction when the second nozzle is in the lower portion of its loop and opposite said one direction when the second nozzle is in the upper portion of its loop, positioning a cutter to intersect the path of movement of the web when the second nozzle is moving in said one direction 1 1 to sever a discrete charge of confection from the web, coordinating the movement of the receiver and the nozzles to generally deposit said discrete charge on top of the first charge of confection at a preselected position thereon, and folding the receiver around said charges while continuously advancing the same.

11. A method of making a confection novelty comprising, cutting a sheet of material into a plurality of receivers each having a size sufficient to encompass the confection novelty, continuously advancing each receiver along a path, feeding confection to a first nozzle to feed a first continuous Web of confection therethrough, moving the first nozzle in a generally closed loop above the receiver while maintaining the first nozzle facing downwardly to feed the first web of confection generally downwardly, positioning a first cutting element to intersect the path of movement of the first web of confection as the first nozzle I moves through a portion of said closed loop, guiding the first cutting element across the underside of the first nozzle to sever a first charge of confection from the first web and dispense the same on a moving receiver, feeding confection to a second nozzle to feed a second continuous web of confection therethrough, moving the second nozzle in a generally closed loop above the first charge of confection on the receiver while maintaining the second nozzle facing downwardly to feed the second web of confection generally downwardly, positioning a second cutter element to intersect the path of movement of the second web of confection as the second nozzle moves through a portion of said closed loop, guiding the second cutting elei ment across the underside of the second nozzle to sever a second charge of confection from the second web and deposit it on top of the first charge while moving, impressing a generally decorative design on one of the charges while moving, and folding the receiver around said charges while continuously advancing the same.

12. In combination, a conveyor continuously movable in one direction, means for feeding a strip of wrapping paper to the conveyor and in the direction of movement thereof, means for cutting end segments from the strip to form receivers and for depositing the receivers on the conveyor to be carried thereby, a first nozzle having a discharge opening at its lower end, means for feeding a confection to the first nozzle to generally continuously extrude a first web of confection from the discharge opening, means for moving the first nozzle in an orbital path while maintaining the first nozzle in a generally upright position, said last-mentioned means moving the first nozzle so that the lowest point of the orbit is at a level above the receiver and moving the first nozzle in said one direction at said lowest point and in the opposite direction during that portion of the orbital path that the first nozzle is spaced farthest from the receiver, a first cutter disposed crosswise of the orbital path and so constructed and ar ranged that a first discrete charge of confection is severed from the first web and deposited on the receiver when the first nozzle is moving in said one direction, a second nozzle spaced from said first nozzle in said one direction, said second nozzle having a discharge opening at its lower end, means for feeding a confection to said second nozzle to generally continuously extrude a second web of confection from the discharge opening, means for moving the second nozzle in an orbital path while maintaining the second nozzle in a generally upright position, said lastinentioned means moving the second nozzle so that the fewest point of the orbit is at a level above the first discrete charge of confection and moving the second nozzle in said one direction at said lowest point and in the opposite direction during that portion of the orbital path that the second nozzle is spaced farthest from the receiver, a second cutter disposed crosswise of the orbital path and so constructed and arranged that a second discrete charge of confection is severed from the second web and deposited on the first discrete charge when the second nozzle is moving in said one direction, and means for folding the receiver around said charges of confection.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,191,268 2/1940 Zeun 107-7 2,664,055 l2/l953 Oakes l07-29 2,853,961 9/1958 Oakes 107-1 WILLIAM I. PRICE Primary Examiner. WALTER A. SCHEEL, Examiner. J. SHEA, Assistant Examiner. 

